Reviews tagging 'Excrement'

Gabi, A Girl in Pieces by Isabel Quintero

2 reviews

thewordsdevourer's review against another edition

emotional funny reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.5

told in the format of a journal interspersed w/ poems and even a zine, gabi, a girl in pieces reads like a YA classic w/ its story of identity, family, friendship, relationships, and grapples w/ the world.

the main character gabi is painfully, frighteningly relatable w/ her sturggles w/ body image, eating, complicated relationship w/ family, and her narrative voice is wry and at times hilarious. it's satisfying to see her grow and evolve thruout the novel, gradually thinking critically abt the world around her and the way girls are treated in her cultural context, and eventually speaking up and making her voice heard.

there's a lot going on in this short book, w/ quintero tackling numerous topics and issues, and tho it can feel a lil overwhelming at times, it's also realistic. there's addiction, teen pregnancy, rape culture, coming (and getting kicked) out, body image, internalized misogyny, and cultural pressure, to name a few. quintero approaches them all w/ equal parts realism and empathy. furthermore, the poems - esp those abt gabi's family - can be particularly touching, while the zine poems are technically great yet incisive.

i only wish things didnt peter out for cindy and sebastian towards the end, w/ gabi seeming hyperfocused in her own head. also i cant help but be a lil confused as to why many boys suddenly flock to gabi when nothing abt her has rly changed internally or externally. the narrative can also get repetitive at times, w/ some things mentioned or happening over and over, blurring many of the events tgt into one indistinct blob. the end couldve been less abrupt too.

while this novel contains serious themes and topics, it addresses and explores them w/ empathetic realism thru a humorous and wry narrative voice; an inevitable YA classic. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexism, Grief, Addiction, Body shaming, Death of parent, Fatphobia, Homophobia, and Misogyny

Moderate: Abortion, Drug abuse, Pregnancy, Religious bigotry, and Sexual content

Minor: Excrement and Rape

aconfundityofcrows's review against another edition

dark emotional funny hopeful reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This hit me in all the right places.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Body shaming, Child abuse, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Grief, Homophobia, Medical content, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Religious bigotry, Sexism, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Abandonment, Ableism, Abortion, Drug use, Excrement, Infidelity, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Violence, and Cursing

Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Child death, Cultural appropriation, Miscarriage, Pedophilia, Racial slurs, and Dementia